Carrying means

ABSTRACT

A device for carrying objects, comprises a loop attachable to a user or a user&#39;s clothing whereby an object is insertable through the loop for retention thereby, insertion of the object being in a direction transverse to the attachment point.

DESCRIPTION

[0001] This invention concerns a method and apparatus for carrying objects, in particular for carrying spectacles, sunglasses, pens, etc. It is to be appreciated that, although reference will mostly be made in the description to the carrying of spectacles, the invention may be used to carry other objects.

[0002] Frequently, when a user does not require the immediate use of his or her spectacles, yet still wishes to carry them around in an easily accessible manner in anticipation of future use, it is known to place the spectacles into a shirt pocket, or alternatively to hook one of the arms of the spectacles over a belt or the neck of a t-shirt, leaving the frame and remaining arm of the spectacles hanging over

[0003] However, there are problems associated with this method of carrying such objects, in that if the user bends over, it is possible, and sometimes very likely that the spectacles will fall out of the pocket of the shirt, or become unhooked from the belt or neck of the t-shirt, falling to the floor and possibly breaking.

[0004] Further, it is known to carry pens around in the pocket of a shirt, or alternatively to hook the lip of the pen over the neck of a T-shirt in a similar manner to spectacles. However, as with the carrying of spectacles in this manner, it is possible, and sometimes very likely that if the carrier bends down, the pen will fall out of the pocket or become unhooked from the neck of the T-shirt, falling to the floor and possibly becoming damaged.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for carrying objects, in particular spectacles, sunglasses, pens, etc.

[0006] Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for carrying objects, comprising a loop attachable to a user or a user's clothing whereby an object is insertable through the loop for retention thereby, insertion of the object being in a direction transverse to the attachment point.

[0007] In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means of attachment of the device to the user comprises at least one aperture in at least one part of the loop of the device, whereby in use, a button or the like on a users clothing is pushed through the aperture, thereby releasably securing the device to the user's clothing.

[0008] In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means of attachment of the device to the user comprises a fold of material attached at either end to the loop of the device, whereby in use, a button or the like on a user's clothing is pushed through the fold of material, thereby releasably securing the device to the user's clothing.

[0009] Preferably, the fold of material is made of an elastic material, to facilitate stretching of the fold of material over a button or the like.

[0010] In a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means of attachment of the devise to the users clothing comprises a clip attached to the loop of the device, comprising a lip, whereby in use, the lip is slotted over a suitable item of the user's clothing, thereby releasably securing the device to the user's clothing.

[0011] In a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means of attachment of the device to the user comprises a second loop from which the loop of the device is suspended, the second loop preferably being long enough to go over a person's head. This embodiment of the invention is particularly suitable for when the user wishes to carry spectades around when he or she is not wearing a shirt, for example on a beach.

[0012] In a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device may be attached to the user's clothing by way of a conventional safety pin or a decorative brooch, or similar.

[0013] In a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device may be attached to the user's clothing by way of a crocodile clip.

[0014] In a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device may be attached to the user's clothing by way of a key ring attachment, for example an open-ended loop with an overlap therein.

[0015] It is to be appreciated, however, that the means of attachment of the device to a user or a user's clothing is not limited to the means of attachment, which are given as examples herein. Any suitable means of attachment may be used.

[0016] In an eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention, the loop of the device has a twist therein. Although the device may be made from any suitable material, it is preferable that the loop of the device is made from a deformable material, for example cotton, braid, or leather. Alternatively, the loop may be made from metal.

[0017] Preferably. the loop is made from a strip of material fastened together at the free ends thereof. The free ends of the strip may be fastened together by means of a stitched seam, or alternatively, they may be fastened together by means of a rivet or the like, in order to form a loop.

[0018] It is further preferable that the device further comprises a logo tag, attached to the loop by the rivet. Alternatively, the logo tag may be attached to the loop at the stitched seam.

[0019] The present invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device for carrying objects, in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device for carrying objects, in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 3 is a front view of the device for carrying objects shown in FIG. 1;

[0023]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device for carrying objects, in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device for carrying objects, in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device for carrying objects, in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the device for carrying objects, in accordance with a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the device for carrying objects, in accordance with a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device for carrying objects, in accordance with a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the device for carrying objects, in accordance with a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0030]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the device for carrying objects, in accordance with an eighth preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0031]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the device for carrying objects, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0032]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the device for carrying objects, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0033] In the accompanying drawings, a device for carrying objects is illustrated generally by reference numeral 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the device 1 comprises a loop 2 with an opening 3 therethrough and two sides 2 a and 2 b, In FIG. 11 an aperture 4 passes through both sides 2 a and 2 b of the loop 2 To attach the device 1 of FIG. 1 to a users clothing, a button (not shown) on the user's clothing is pushed through the aperture 4 in the loop 2. In FIG. 2, an aperture 5 passes through only one side 2 b of the loop 2. To attach the device 1 of FIG. 2 to a user's clothing, a button (not shown) is pushed through the aperture 5, the button remaining covered by the side 2 a of the loop 2.

[0034] In use, an arm of a pair of spectacles, is slotted through the opening 3 in the loop, thereby retaining the spectacles in the device 1 If the user bends forward, the orientation of the opening 3 in the loop 2 is such that the spectacles do not fall out of the device 1. FIG. 3 shows a front view of the device 1 as may be seen when attached to a users clothing (The button is not shown).

[0035] Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings, the device 1 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, but for the means of attachment of the device. In FIG. 4, the hole 4 is absent and instead a fold of material 6 is attached to the loop 2 of the device 1. In use, a button (not shown) is pushed through the opening 7 in the fold of material 6, thereby releasably securing the device 1 to a users clothing.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings, the device 1 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, but for the absence of the hole 4 and the presence instead of a clip 8 attached to the loop 2 of the device 1. The clip 8 has a lip 9 thereon. In use, the lip 9 is hooked over, for example, the collar of a t-shirt, thereby releasably securing the device 1 to a users clothing.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 6 of the drawings, the device-1 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, but for the absence of the hole 4 and the presence instead of a second loop 10 attached to the loop 2 of the device 1. In use, the second loop 10 is slipped over the head of the user, thereby releasably securing the device 1 to the user.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings, the device 1 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, but for the absence of the hole 4. With reference to FIG. 7, a safety pin 11 is used to attach the device 1 to a user's clothing, and with reference to FIG. 8, a decorative brooch 12 is used as a means of attachment. With reference to FIG. 9, a conventional crocodile clip 14 is used to attach the device 1 to a user's clothing, whereby the jaws 19 and 20 of the clip 14 are snapped together over the users clothing. With reference to FIG. 10, a keV ring attachment 15 in the form of an open-ended loop 16 with an overlap therein is used as a means of attachment, whereby the loop is slotted between the two layers 17 and 18 of the key ring attachment 15 and secured therein.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 11 of the drawings, the device 1 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, but for the presence of a twist 13 in the loop 2. This is for ease of use, the spectacles, pen or the like, sitting better in the loop 2 when the loop 2 has a twist 13 therein. However, it is to be appreciated that the loop 2 of any of the embodiments as hereinbefore described may have a twist 13 therein, and not exclusively the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 12 of the drawings, the device 1 is the same as that shown in FIG. 4, but for the presence of a rivet 14 holding the free ends of the loop 2 together. A logo tag 15 is attached to the loop 2 by the rivet 14.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 13 of the drawings, the device 1 is the same as that shown in FIG. 13, but for the presence of a levered attachment 16 attached to the loop 2 by means of an additional loop 17 The levered attachment 16 may be opened, and fixed to a part of the users clothing, for example, a belt loop, then closed in order to secure the device to the user's clothing. 

1. A device for carrying objects, comprising a loop attachable to a user or a user's clothing whereby an object is insertable through the loop for retention thereby, insertion of the object being in a direction transverse to the attachment point.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means of attachment of the device to the user's clothing comprises at least one aperture in at least one part of the loop of the device, whereby in use, a button or the like on a user's clothing is pushed through the aperture, thereby releasably securing the device to the user's clothing.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means of attachment of the device to the user's clothing comprises a fold of material attached at ether end to the loop of the device, whereby in use, a button or the like on the user's clothing is pushed through the fold of material, thereby releasably securing the device to the user's clothing.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fold of material is made from an elastic material.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means of attachment of the device to the user's clothing comprises a clip attached to the loop of the device, the clip comprising a lip, whereby in use, the lip is slotted over a suitable part of the user's clothing, thereby releasably securing the device to the user's clothing.
 6. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means of attachment of the device to the user comprises a second loop from which the loop of the device is suspended, the second loop preferably being long enough to go over the user's head.
 7. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is attachable to a user's clothing by means of a safety pin or the like.
 8. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is attachable to a user's clothing by way of a key ring attachment.
 9. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loop of the device has a twist therein.
 10. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loop of the device is made from a deformable material such as cotton, braid or leather.
 11. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loop of the device is made from metal.
 12. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loop of the device is made from a strip of material fastened together at the free ends thereof. 13.A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the free ends of the strip of material are fastened together by means of a rivet or the like. 14.A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the free ends of the strip of material are fastened together by means of a stitched seam. 15.A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a logo tag is attached to the loop of the device. 